Adoption & Surrogacy Support
Adoption & surrogacy are wonderful ways to become a parent. Like any parenting journey, they come with some particular considerations for parents. Doula support for adoption and surrogacy is intended to provide parents with a safe place to discuss & process emotions, a resource for evidence-based information, & practical hands-on support as you welcome your child into your family.
Adoption Support
Just as birth doulas are not medical experts, an adoption doula is not a legal expert. I am, however, an impartial support person with whom you can discuss your options, work through your feelings & find compassion & understanding in challenging times. I am also an expert in the practicalities of becoming a parent & caring for children. I will answer your questions & provide advice to build your confidence & prepare you for this amazing journey.
Adoption can be a long & complex process. Whether you are in the early stages, contemplating and learning about adoption, or well on your way to welcoming a child into your home, I can support you. I offer flexible packages that are tailored to your needs.
Types of information & support offered:
Discussing if adoption is right for you
Your adoption options in Ontario
Deciding what type of adoption you would like to pursue
Finding the right child for your family
Navigating the adoption process
Preparing for parenting
Preparing your home to welcome your child
Welcoming your child
Navigating relationships with biological parents
Building confidence as a parent
Adoption Support Packages
Small Package
$200
Includes:
1 hour intake meeting to learn about you and your needs, & to determine the goals you are hoping to achieve with my help
6 hours of support to be used at client’s discretion (must be scheduled in advance)
Phone, text & email availability
Medium Package
$300
Includes:
1 hour intake meeting to learn about you and your needs, & to determine the goals you are hoping to achieve with my help
10 hours of support to be used at client’s discretion (must be scheduled in advance)
Phone, text & email availability
Full Package
$450
Includes:
1 hour intake meeting to learn about you and your needs, & to determine the goals you are hoping to achieve with my help
14 hours of support to be used at client’s discretion (must be scheduled in advance)
Phone, text & email availability
Surrogacy support
A surrogate is an individual who agrees to be inseminated, carry & birth a child for another person, the intended parent.
Surrogacy is a beautiful gift from a willing person of gestational age to parents who cannot or who have chosen not to carry & birth a child.
Doula support for surrogacy comes in two forms:
Support to the surrogate as a prenatal coach or birth doula
Support to the intended parents as a prenatal coach &/or postpartum doula
These two services cannot be combined, as this would represent a conflict of interest.
Surrogate Support Pacakges
Support for Surrogates
Surrogate parents are partners to the intended parents. They carry the fetus, birth the baby, and sometimes provide milk to the intended parents following the birth. The degree of involvement of the surrogate in the family’s life, & vice versa, is determined by the parties involved.
Doula care for surrogate parents can be in the form of prenatal coaching or birth doula care. It is the same service I would provide to a birthing parent, including presenting evidence-based information, & being present as emotional & physical support to the birthing person.
Read about my prenatal coaching and birth doula packages to learn more.
Support for Intended Parents
Intended parents in a surrogate relationship often need support to prepare themselves for the birth of their baby. Support for intended parents involves providing individualized care to meet your needs as you prepare to welcome your baby into your home.
Some common topics covered are:
Choosing a surrogate
Navigating your relationship with the surrogate parent
Supporting the surrogate in pregnancy
How to care for yourself during the gestational period
Understanding birth
Discussing the birth: what do you expect? What does the surrogate expect? How to navigate the chosen place of birth.
Preparing for parenthood
Education on caring for a newborn
Welcoming your baby
Feeding your baby